Enhanced biodiesel production from jojoba oil alkyl esters: Synthesis, characterization, and fuel performance assessment with blends of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD, a desulfurized form of conventional diesel)

Authors: SHAH, SHAILESH - The University Of Texas At Dallas; Liu, Zengshe

Submitted to: Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2025
Publication Date: 10/19/2025
Citation: Shah, S.N., Liu, Z. 2025. Enhanced biodiesel production from jojoba oil alkyl esters: Synthesis, characterization, and fuel performance assessment with blends of ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD, a desulfurized form of conventional diesel). Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. https://doi.org/10.1002/aocs.70025.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aocs.70025

Interpretive Summary: Biodiesel plays an important part of green energy development. In most of the biodiesel fuel prepared from edible oil, such as soybean oil or corn oil, there is an argument between food and energy. Jojoba oil is a non-food feedstock commonly used in the cosmetic area. Here, we reported that the investigation of the preparation and properties of jojoba-based biodiesel and the results exhibited superior low-temperature performance. Additionally, jojoba-based diesel blends with ultra low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD) displayed improved low-temperature characteristics compared to pure ULSD and blends of soybean oil methyl esters in ULSD. Overall, these findings highlight the enormous potential of jojoba oil as an alternative non-food feedstock for biodiesel production, offering favorable fuel properties that can contribute to sustainable and environmentally friendly energy solutions.

Technical Abstract: Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis L.) is a non-edible feedstock rich in long-chain wax esters (50—60 wt%), offering an alternative to food-based oils for biodiesel production. In this study, various jojoba oil alkyl esters—including methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, and 2-ethylhexyl—were synthesized to evaluate how ester head group structure affects critical fuel properties such as kinematic viscosity, cold flow behavior, acid value, and lubricity. These esters were compared to soybean oil alkyl esters and assessed against ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 biodiesel standards. Jojoba oil alkyl esters exhibited superior low-temperature performance and lubricity but generally higher viscosities than soybean oil alkyl esters. Blends of jojoba oil alkyl esters with ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD, a desulfurized form of conventional petroleum diesel) at 5% and 20% (B5 and B20) improved cold flow properties compared to pure ULSD and soybean oil alkyl ester blends. Among the esters, 2-ethylhexyl esters of jojoba oil demonstrated the most favorable cold flow characteristics. These findings highlight the potential of jojoba oil as a sustainable biodiesel feedstock that enhances fuel performance while addressing food versus fuel concerns.